Our Team

Alan is the Interim Deputy Director and Senior Director of Conservation. He oversees LCF’s Habitat Restoration, Fuel Modification, Land Management and Trail programs. Alan has always been passionate about the outdoors and has spent a decent chunk of his life living and working there, including leading wilderness expeditions, working on wildland fire, trail and weed management crews and researching the use of prescribed fire and mechanical thinning to restore forest ecosystems. He has been with LCF since 2014. When he’s not at work, he can generally be found spending time with family, practicing primitive skills, or making & repairing things in his garage.

Andrea has been a lover of life, living and natural systems, for as long as she can remember, with a particular affinity for any ecosystems heavily influenced by water. To more closely study nature, she went to San Francisco State University, where she graduated summa cum laude and obtained a Bachelors of Science in ecology. Andrea has experience working in research labs, native plant nurseries in the Bay Area, and doing habitat restoration in San Diego. She’s now earning her Masters of Science in environmental studies from Cal State Fullerton where she aims to study the connections between habitat restoration, particularly in wetlands or coastal ecosystems, and social and environmental justice. When she’s not studying or reading up on environmental issues, she can be found crocheting, baking, doodling, taking long walks, listening to music, giving her pets lots of attention, and spending time outside to admire our Earth.

As a Field Specialist, Cade leads the field crew in restoring and maintaining the South Coast Wilderness. He graduated summa cum laude from California State University Fullerton with a degree in biological science (ecology and evolutionary biology). After a trip to Pinnacles National Park in 2017 and volunteering monthly with California State Parks, Cade gained a newfound respect for conservation and decided to pursue a career in ecological restoration. This passion for the environment carries over to his work where he is dedicated to protect and preserve Southern California’s native biodiversity. In his free time, he enjoys reading and organizing his large collection of books, exploring different music genres, and taking hikes with friends and family.

Christie grew up in Irvine, while orange groves and many open hillsides were filled with housing tracts and shopping centers. After graduating from UCLA, she traveled through international seaside towns, introducing people to the wonders of the ocean ecosystem as a dive instructor. When she returned to live near family in Orange County, she continued to dedicate herself to connecting people to nature. Christie started her career as an Ocean Institute living history and outdoor science educator. She has since served in almost every capacity to support local nonprofit conservation and education organizations. She is responsible for the strategic planning and development of Laguna Canyon Foundation’s education and volunteer programs based in the South Coast Wilderness. In her spare time, she enjoys birding, traveling, photography, reading, and long walks with her husband and dogs.

Trading his rubber boots for hiking boots, craft beer brewer Chris is now spending his time in the coastal sage scrub habitat as a Conservation Project Manager.  A graduate from Arizona State University with a BS is Biological Sciences, Chris is currently attending ASU as an MS student in Biomimicry and Oregon State University focusing on ecology. Constantly curious, Chris proudly considers himself a generalist and believes that a sustainable future, one that accounts for social health, environmental health and economic health is one that is possible through shared knowledge, inclusion and grassroots organization.

As Trails Project Manager, Craig’s goal is to share with the communities around the South Coast Wilderness the feelings of empowerment, joy, and connection to place that come from direct stewardship of the land.

Craig began his journey in conservation 20 years ago as a corps member with the Student Conservation Association, building trails and teaching environmental education in western Massachusetts. In the decades since he’s worked on projects including wilderness management, desert restoration, tree planting, sustainable communities, and teaching trail work skills. Craig served three years as Director on the board of Bighorn-Desert View Water Agency.

A recent transplant to Orange County, Craig has lived and worked across the country, with most of his adult life spent in the Mojave Desert near Joshua Tree. He holds a B.A. in Religious Studies and English Writing from the University of Pittsburgh, and an M.B.A. in Organizational Design and Leadership from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. He likes to spend his free time with his family, hiking, camping, cooking, learning piano, reading, snorkeling, and writing songs to the tune of pop hits that teach trail concepts.

Dan grew up in Irvine enjoying fresh produce and regular visits to the beach.  After graduating from UCI, Dan moved to beautiful northern Michigan.  The four seasons in Michigan allowed Dan to experience camping, hiking, skiing and water sports in a completely new environment.  Dan and his wife have two adult children who both live in southern California. He also enjoys reading, traveling, hiking and visiting the beaches of Orange County.

Debbie Murtagh is a Field Educator for Laguna Canyon Foundation. She grew up exploring the creeks, rivers, and Finger Lakes of Upstate NY. Debbie has a BA in Biopsychology and MA in Elementary Education. She has experience as a teacher, recreation counselor, youth case manager, and an athletic instructor. Most recently she lived near the mountains of Montana while teaching music and working on pollution reduction initiatives. Debbie has three daughters and a grandson. Since moving to Orange County last year, she’s been excited to hike the new terrain, practice yoga on the beach, learn the ukulele, and investigate all the creatures in the tidal pools. Striving always to live in harmony with nature Debbie is passionate about helping students discover their love and connection to the incredible wisdom and beauty of wilderness.

Derek is the Outreach and Development Director and works towards managing LCF’s marketing and community efforts along with the volunteer, education, and fundraising programs. He studied Natural Resource Management in his home state of Louisiana, graduating from the University of New Orleans. His career has ranged from leading adventure treks through the Atchafalaya Swamp, engaging with global communities on environmental and food justice issues, and educating the public through interpretive programming throughout Orange County’s coast and open spaces! When he isn’t working, Derek can generally be found near the ocean, hiking through open spaces in Orange County, or in the Sierras camping, backpacking, or fly fishing! He also loves to travel to new areas of California with his wife whenever they have the opportunity- most people say he’s seen more of California in his 5 years here than what many locals see in a lifetime!

Dulce graduated from Humboldt State University earning a bachelor’s degree in Ecological Restoration. She fell in love with the coastal sage scrub native vegetation when she volunteered a summer at the Santiago Creek Nature Center in Santa Ana during her undergrad. Her favorite native plant is white sage (Salvia apiana). She loves to hike with her dog Khaleesi, having multiple cups of coffee, watching her favorite shows the Office and Game of Thrones and hanging out with her family.

Emma graduated from Pomona College in Claremont, California with a degree in Biology (ecology focused) and Music. She has worked multiple research-based technician jobs and has worked in the biological consulting industry, learning about various California and Washington ecosystems and species of concern along the way. Originally from the California Bay Area, she has grown up being exposed to the outdoors, focused on connecting with nature and curiosity, and valuing service to her community, which continues through this position. Emma hopes to make outdoor spaces fun, safe, and accessible to everyone she leads, regardless of experience level and background. Throughout college and her working life, she has found herself working in the California Sage Scrub ecosystem, and is happy to continue that trend now. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her dog, playing the violin, creating ceramic art, and crocheting.

Erika graduated in 2020 from Doane University, where she majored in Environmental Science and Biology. When she started at LCF as a Conservation Tech, she knew she was in the right place and enjoys spending time working outside. She especially loves surveying and watching birds and will take any opportunity she gets to polish her birding skills. Her three favorite birds are the Killdeer, American Kestrel, and Common Raven. When she’s not at work, Erika enjoys mountain biking, surfing, going to the record store, and hanging out with her family and dogs! 

Isaac grew up in Los Angeles and frequently explored the natural beauty of the Santa Monica Mountains in his time there. He graduated from UCLA with a degree in Environmental Science, where he worked to develop a restoration plan for a piece of natural habitat on the university’s campus. He is passionate about plants and their communities, and hopes to protect and restore wild areas. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, listening to music, and crosswords.

Joanne joined the LCF Education Team in 2011.  Her passion is being outdoors helping children discover and explore the wonders of nature and the wilderness. She is small in stature but has a big heart for the kids she hikes with.  She will tell you this has been the best job she has ever had.  She has a BA in Child Development from California State University Long Beach.  Joanne has been an educator and instructor in both classroom and business settings and has developed educational programs for both children and adults.  She tries to spend as much time as she can with her grandson shooting hoops (not very successfully) talking, and laughing a lot.  If she isn’t on a trail, you will likely find her walking at the Dana Point Harbor or Doheny Beach or at home in front of a TV lifting weights with the Peloton instructors or doing Zumba.

Joyce is excited to join the LCF Team and looks forward to sharing these beautiful trails and its rich ecology with all her students. She is passionate about protecting the outdoors and connecting people of all backgrounds to nature. She has led field trips through historical citrus groves, guided college students on outdoor excursions, taught sustainable agriculture and homesteading practices on an educational farm, and most recently led camping trips for middle schoolers in the Redwood forests of Mendocino. She graduated from UC Riverside with a B.S. in Environmental Sciences, and first realized the importance of experiencing science outdoors while studying abroad in the tropical forests of Costa Rica. Since graduating she has worked for several non-profits in the Bay Area and is overjoyed to return to the coast of California she grew up in. In her free time you can find her on a run through the fragrant chaparral trails near her home, singing in her kitchen while cooking up a new recipe, or snuggling up with her dog after a long hike.

Larry hails from the great state of Massachusetts where his lifelong obsession with conservation and Boston sports began. Larry has an environmental science degree from Southern New Hampshire University and a master’s degree in wildlife management and conservation from Unity College. Larry is also a certified California naturalist. His passion for conservation can be seen in his tours that he leads for LCF, as well as from time to time as a cetacean naturalist on the boats in and around Orange County. Larry can be found most nights with his superstar son at the hockey rink or baseball field with his wife and their Portuguese water dog Tuukka.

Lauryn graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a Zoology degree, gaining hands-on experience in various animal behavior laboratories. Her passion for environmental education blossomed while working at a science camp in Lake Arrowhead. There she was able to create her own lesson plans that are still used today. Currently, Lauryn is pursuing her Masters in Conservation and Restoration Sciences degree at UC Irvine. If she isn’t hiking, Lauryn is found relaxing at the beach, playing tennis, or painting. She is committed to creating a future where nature is accessible to all communities, regardless of their income or background.

Inspired by her time volunteering, interning, and working at various environmental organizations, Marjorie started her career in the environmental horticulture field during her time studying Environmental Science and Management at UC Davis. Overall, she’s a life-long learner who is most passionate about habitat enhancement and community involvement in natural resource management. Outside of being a full-time plant person, Marjorie greatly enjoys practicing her creative side through drawing and crocheting, as well as going on adventures with her family, friends, and dog.

Ryan earned a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Science at The California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, where one of his proudest moments while attending was hand-picking hundreds of pounds of produce on the campus farm.  He says that he will always be a student and strives to never stop learning what life has to teach, especially with help from his generously knowledgeable team-members.  Being born and raised in South OC, Ryan has always had a deep curiosity toward nature and is now overwhelmingly grateful for playing a part in an organization that strives to protect it.  Outside of work, Ryan may be seen passing by on his bicycle, in the kitchen experimenting with plant-based foods, or attempting to tame his ferocious kitten Mariposa.

Originally from Laguna Beach, Sara is a graduate from the International Master in Applied Ecology program, with a dual degree in Ecology and Wildlife Conservation from the University of Poiters and the University of East Anglia. She gained experience in all kinds wildlife research, including a 6 month project with once critically endangered Rodrigues Fruit Bats. After her masters, she moved to Berlin for an urban wildlife research project, where she lived for 3 years. Sara has passed her two year mark with LCF and loves watching this incredible organization grow. In her free time, Sara enjoys traveling, singing, playing guitar, and spending time in nature.

As Executive Director, Scott oversees conservation, education and outreach, fundraising, and administration for Laguna Canyon Foundation. Scott has been involved in land conservation and protection in Orange County for over 35 years. Prior to coming to LCF, Scott was the chief landscape architect at OC Parks, responsible for master planning and park improvement projects across the 60,000 acre regional park system. He was one of the first certified volunteer naturalists for Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, and later ran the volunteer stewardship program prior to LCF taking on that role in 2007.  In his free time Scott enjoys spending time with his family,  gardening, surfing, camping and traveling. He also enjoys long-distance backpacking, hiking from Mexico to Canada on the Pacific Crest Trail, as well as the Vermont Long Trail.

As Director of Finance, Theresa manages the administrative side of Laguna Canyon Foundation’s work. She handles the organization’s finances, human resources, IT, and copyediting – if it doesn’t fall under someone else’s job description, it’s probably her responsibility! Theresa’s passion for conservation brought her to the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she earned her master’s degree in Environmental Science and Management. When she’s not saving the planet through the magic of bookkeeping, Theresa enjoys baking, reading, and patiently explaining the difference between Star Wars and Star Trek to anyone who will listen.

Tom graduated from UC Irvine with a B.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. His exposure to
nature early in life gave him a passion to learn more about the ecosystems surrounding him and
how best to preserve them. At UCI, Tom studied the multitrophic interactions between plants,
birds and insects in the Mooney lab, where he spent many hours outside in coastal sage scrub
environments. This bolstered his love for wildlife and working outdoors, which he is eager to
continue doing at LCF. In his free time, Tom enjoys wildlife photography and hiking, which he
uses to feed his obsession with finding and identifying insects.